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June 30, 2009

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Sean Duffy is used to being in the public eye. He’s best-known as one of the cast members on the Real World’s sixth season (Boston). Since then, he has pursued a career in politics and now serves as the district attorney in small, rural Ashland County.

Duffy is now looking to take his next step in politics, and the Republican is mulling a run against Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.).

“A race for Congress is something I am seriously considering. I’m troubled by the explosion in new debt that Washington is leaving to my five kids, and I feel it’s important to do what I can to improve the direction of the country,” Duffy said.

One other fun fact about Duffy: He’s an award-winning lumberjack and has been a color commentator for ESPN’s “Great Outdoor Games.” His wife, Rachel, was also a Real World cast member and vied for Elisabeth Hasselbeck's panel spot on "The View."

Celebrity aside, any challenge against Obey will be very difficult. Obey, one of the longest-serving members of Congress, has held a near-stranglehold on his rural northwest Wisconsin district since he was first elected in 1969.

Obey, a veteran appropriator, also is popular for bringing back federal funds into the blue-collar district.

But Duffy believes that Obey showed signs of vulnerability by winning only 61 percent of the vote against a no-name opponent — his lowest total since 1998. And the district has been somewhat competitive at the national level — President Barack Obama won here with 56 percent of the vote, but former President George W. Bush received 49 percent of the vote in his 2004 campaign.

If Duffy runs, he would become the second “Real World” cast member to run for Congress. Kevin Powell unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) in last year’s Democratic primary — and is planning to challenge him again in 2010.

All this comes just in time for the show to begin shooting its 23rd season here in the nation’s capital.

Thank Brian, or Dan, for pointing out that his opponent was Mielke. Sean is actually quite well received in Hayward and is the strongest candidate we've seen in a decade. He has overwhelming support of the party in the district, statewide and nationally.

You don't run a race like this unless you now you are going to have support. Nearly every county party is fond of Sean and the job he did at District Chair. It was evident at the State Convention. He will also have the immediate support of several large employers in the district. If you like Paul Ryan, you're going to love Sean Duffy.

Are you kidding me. I was with Sean at the convention 90% of the time, including in the evenings. He never even drank! Mr. Mielke and your supporters, quit playing childish games. It will only backfire on you. You call him a jerk, then a drunk. Apperently you don't know what you're talking about. Mielke's campaign of "Dis-Obey" is now spilling over to "Dis-Duffy". Dis-graceful!

Dan Mielke did the best he could with no money and little support last time but Sean Duffy has a real chance of winning. Sean brings many things to the table that Dan Mielke does not:
* Media exposure & contacts
* He has been elected and reelected
* The ability to raise money
* A professional appearance
* Real contrast in every way
* An army of volunteers
In a primary or an endorsing convention Mielke would have a hard time competing with Duffy on the merits of what each brings to the table.